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The Count of Monte Cristo: (Annotated with short biography)

The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas (père) completed in 1844. It is one of the author's most popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.
The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean, a The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas (père) completed in 1844. It is one of the author's most popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.
The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean, and in the Levant during the historical events of 1815–1838. It begins from just before the Hundred Days period (when Napoleon returned to power after his exile) and spans through to the reign of Louis-Philippe of France. The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book. An adventure story primarily concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy and forgiveness, it focuses on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune and sets about getting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment. However, his plans have devastating consequences for the innocent as well as the guilty. In addition, it is a story that involves romance, loyalty, betrayal and selfishness, shown throughout the story as characters slowly reveal their true inner nature.
The book is considered a literary classic today. According to Luc Sante, "The Count of Monte Cristo has become a fixture of Western civilization's literature, as inescapable and immediately identifiable as Mickey Mouse, Noah's flood, and the story of Little Red Riding Hood."

The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas (père) completed in 1844. It is one of the author's most popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.
The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean, a The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas (père) completed in 1844. It is one of the author's most popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it is expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.
The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean, and in the Levant during the historical events of 1815–1838. It begins from just before the Hundred Days period (when Napoleon returned to power after his exile) and spans through to the reign of Louis-Philippe of France. The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book. An adventure story primarily concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy and forgiveness, it focuses on a man who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune and sets about getting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment. However, his plans have devastating consequences for the innocent as well as the guilty. In addition, it is a story that involves romance, loyalty, betrayal and selfishness, shown throughout the story as characters slowly reveal their true inner nature.
The book is considered a literary classic today. According to Luc Sante, "The Count of Monte Cristo has become a fixture of Western civilization's literature, as inescapable and immediately identifiable as Mickey Mouse, Noah's flood, and the story of Little Red Riding Hood."

30 review for
The Count of Monte Cristo: (Annotated with short biography)

4 out of 5

unknown–Oct 21, 2009

Revenge is a dish best served cold. And unabridged. And translated from the French by Robin Buss.
The greatness of this book can be illustrated by the following simple equations:
( + ) <
Whereas, the majesty of the Count of Counting added to the deliciousness of a Monte Cristo sandwich from Bennigans still does not overmatch the inherent kickass value of the Dumas novel [which is, it can therefore be said, greater than the sum of its parts, both obsessive-compulsive (The Count) and mouth-wat Revenge is a dish best served cold. And unabridged. And translated from the French by Robin Buss.
The greatness of this book can be illustrated by the following simple equations:
( + ) <
Whereas, the majesty of the Count of Counting added to the deliciousness of a Monte Cristo sandwich from Bennigans still does not overmatch the inherent kickass value of the Dumas novel [which is, it can therefore be said, greater than the sum of its parts, both obsessive-compulsive (The Count) and mouth-wateringly fattening (of Monte Cristo):].
Similarly:
( + + ) =
The coolness of Batman, once introduced into the equation, thus balances the scales, probably because the Count of Monte Cristo (character) is equal parts Wealthy OCD Recluse, Delicious Sandwich (um, metaphorically), and Batman-like avenger. QED.
I don't know how I can be any clearer.
Facebook 30 Day Book Challenge Day 16: Longest book you've read.

5 out of 5

Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin–Nov 09, 2015

Re-Read on audio and still on my favorites list! ❤
ALL THE FREAKING FEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I never in a million years would have thought I would love this book! I never thought I would like something like this book. I never thought I would fall in love with Dantes! I never thought I would have so much anger, sadness, despair and happiness in this book! I never thought, did I!
*********SOME SPOILERS**********
Edmond Dantes was a wonderful man of 19-years-old. He Re-Read on audio and still on my favorites list! ❤️
ALL THE FREAKING FEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I never in a million years would have thought I would love this book! I never thought I would like something like this book. I never thought I would fall in love with Dantes! I never thought I would have so much anger, sadness, despair and happiness in this book! I never thought, did I!
*********SOME SPOILERS**********
Edmond Dantes was a wonderful man of 19-years-old. He had a woman he loved and was going to marry named Mercedes. A loving father. And he was going to be captain of the wonderful ship, Pharaon.
The the jealous bastards or just bastards in general ruined life for Dantes.
1. Danglars
2. Fernand
3. Villefort
I hate these men with such a passion I just wanted someone to kill their evil selves.
All of the jerks had a hand in putting Dantes in prison for 14 effing years! Yeah! For what? For NOTHING!
Dantes was in such despair he was going to starve himself to death. I can't even!
Then one night Dantes hears a scratching sound and soon realizes someone is tunneling. Dantes decides to tunnel as well. At some point the two of them tunnel to each other. Dantes gets to meet Abbe Faria, the mad man (so they say) in the cell next door. Abbe Faria thinks he's tunneling out to freedom but he made a miscalculation. But Dantes and Abbe devise a new plan and this takes some years to do all of this tunneling. But the Abbe is old and sick and having seizures. He's not going to be able to make it so Dantes waits with him. He is like another father figure to Dantes. And who in the hell but Dantes would wait and not leave his friend. Because Dantes is good and kind and loving.
Abbe Faria is also the one that opens Dantes eyes to who the culprits were that put him in jail. Poor Dantes couldn't see this at the time and he couldn't read what we were reading so he had no clue. Abbe Faria also tells Dantes about tons of gold and jewels that he has hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. He makes Dantes remember everything about getting there and where to find the treasure.
Unfortunately, Abbe Faria dies and it was so sad. Dantes was so grief stricken over his friend. Dantes decided to leave then as he had nothing else to stay for and he put himself in Abbe Faria's place all wrapped up waiting to be buried. Well, he doesn't actually get buried but thrown out to sea and luckily Dantes managed to save himself.
We go on to read of the tale of how Dantes gets to Monte Cristo and soon he is beyond rich and he is so smart and ready to get IT DONE!
And Dantes doesn't just run off and kill people. He's smart. He tears down their houses, their world without them knowing who he is until the bitter end. And all of the riches they acquired while he rotted in jail was disgusting. Anyway, some people did die but that's of little importance.
Dantes is also kind to all of the people that were kind to him or tried to help him while he was in jail. He's such a wonderful person. Yes, I know I keep saying that. He helps Morrel and his family when they were about to lose everything. They even lost the Pharaon but Dantes brings him a new one without Morrel even knowing where the ship came from. Dantes gave them money. He helped the family even after Morrel was gone. I cried and cried at his generosity.
And to sit and read of all the plans and all of the people crumble.
The only person to recognize Dantes, even with his disguises, was Mercedes. But she went and married freaking Fernand and had a kid. Dantes was friends with Mercedes son but things could never be good for them again. And it's so, so sad for so many involved.
Oh, and Dantes called himself "Sinbad the Sailor" and "The Count of Monte Cristo." Of course I guess if you own a rock and gold and jewels and many other things, you can call yourself anything you want! :-)
I can't sit here and go on and on about the book. It's freaking 1276 pages! I'm not that good of a reviewer to tell you something good about that many pages. Just know. . . THIS BOOK is freaking AWESOME! If you have been debating on reading it and afraid of it's size, who cares, just read it. I mean you can take two months or however long to enjoy Dantes and his adventures, but don't let the "tome" bother you. It's not boring at all! NOT ONE BIT!
I give it all the stars!
Sail on dear, Dantes! ♥
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

4 out of 5

Cynthia–Aug 30, 2007

** Spoiler alert**
First, make sure you find a copy that is unabridged. Most editions in English ARE abridged, but usually don't say they are. Not sure if this Penguin edition is, it's not the one i read.
Readers generally think of this as a tale of revenge. For me, it was much deeper. I'm not a religious person at all, but for me this is a book that makes you question the existence of God or a god. Edmond Dantes is without flaw, a truly good person, and his life is ruined because a) others envy ** Spoiler alert**
First, make sure you find a copy that is unabridged. Most editions in English ARE abridged, but usually don't say they are. Not sure if this Penguin edition is, it's not the one i read.
Readers generally think of this as a tale of revenge. For me, it was much deeper. I'm not a religious person at all, but for me this is a book that makes you question the existence of God or a god. Edmond Dantes is without flaw, a truly good person, and his life is ruined because a) others envy him and b) he was the victim of an unfortunate coincidence.
Even when he escapes prison and finds a monumental treasure, it is years before he finds peace (I dont think he ever finds happiness).
The questions it raises are: why are good people so often punished by horrible tragedies when truly bad people are so often able to float through life with all the rewards that this world can bestow?
The other question: Dantes spends much of his life after prison seeking the people who tossed into the oubliette — not to get revenge but to punish them. He believes he is the angel of god and that he has been freed from prison so he can do god's will by punishing these evil men.
But as he proceeds in his quest, he begins to question whether any man can actually be the angel of god, whether it's a sign of mania or even insanity to think you can possibly know what is god's will.
In the end, evil is punished, and it is because of wheels that Dantes sets in motion. But I don't think he is ever able to know if he is just another man seeking to ruin other men, or if he is in fact the angel of god. It's a question that, as a journalist, I try to always remember: we are none of us the angel of god. All we can do is try to live the best life we can and not decide who deserves to be punished or even ruined.

4 out of 5

Emily May–Aug 15, 2012

Picture this: you are nineteen years old with your whole life ahead of you. You've just been offered the job of your dreams. And you're about to marry the person you've loved since childhood. When, suddenly, a couple of jealous men decide to frame you as a Bonapartist (a crime which was punished by death or life imprisonment) and have you sent away to rot in an island prison. I think it's fair to say you'd be feeling a touch bitter about the whole ordeal.
This is what happens to the young Edmond Picture this: you are nineteen years old with your whole life ahead of you. You've just been offered the job of your dreams. And you're about to marry the person you've loved since childhood. When, suddenly, a couple of jealous men decide to frame you as a Bonapartist (a crime which was punished by death or life imprisonment) and have you sent away to rot in an island prison. I think it's fair to say you'd be feeling a touch bitter about the whole ordeal.
This is what happens to the young Edmond Dantes when he is betrayed at first by men jealous of his career and fiancee, then again by a man who sees a opportunity to benefit himself by sending Dantes to his jail cell. After spending fourteen years in a gloomy dungeon, Dantes finally has a chance to escape and seek revenge on those who wronged him, whilst also rewarding those who stuck by him and fought to prove his innocence.
I always try to read both positive and negative reviews of books so I can understand why people had a different opinion from my own, and the verdict on this from negative reviews seems to fall into one of two categories: 1) the book is too long, or 2) they were unable to side with Dantes when he sets out with his vengeful aims.
Personally, I agree that The Count of Monte Cristo is several novels in one and I'm not surprised that it was originally published in installments. That being said, though, the story itself is fascinating. It brings in historical elements and combines them with a great set of fictional characters to make a very rich story. There are parts that are sad and parts that are heartwarming and it all adds up to a great balance of the two.
As for the second problem, it is my own personal taste that I love a good revenge story. I know forgiveness is supposed to be a virtue blah blah and perhaps it doesn't make me a great person that I couldn't shake the hand of the one who'd ruined my life. Perhaps. But I believe Dantes suffered more than anyone in this tale, even after he had got his revenge. And I always did cheer for the likes of Beatrix Kiddo. So when the "avenging angel" struck, I was right there with him.
I think it says something when a 1200+ page novel doesn't bore me for a second, and The Count of Monte Cristo never once dragged as it took me through a plot spanning many years. There are several stories being told throughout and I found all of them interesting: Dantes' betrayal, The Shawshank Redemption-style time in prison where Dantes makes a close friend, the historical story of Napoleon's return, and Dantes' search for revenge. It's hard not to be enthralled by this complex world and its characters. My one complaint is the direction Dantes' romantic life took in the end, but whatever, there are over a thousand pages of awesomeness here and if you have the time to spare for this book/doorstopper/possible murder weapon, you should definitely read it.
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5 out of 5

Chris–Jan 31, 2008

Why did no one tell me about this book? I mean seriously, I was about a hundred pages in and I wanted to go find my freshman high school English teacher and inflict terrible, intricate revenge on her for depriving me of a great book. I figured first I could assume a new identity, perhaps insinuating myself into her life. I'd make her trust me and put all her faith in me, and then I would UTTERLY CRUSH HER!!! MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!!
Seriously, this was an awesome book. I am not a big fan of the Classics Why did no one tell me about this book? I mean seriously, I was about a hundred pages in and I wanted to go find my freshman high school English teacher and inflict terrible, intricate revenge on her for depriving me of a great book. I figured first I could assume a new identity, perhaps insinuating myself into her life. I'd make her trust me and put all her faith in me, and then I would UTTERLY CRUSH HER!!! MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!!
Seriously, this was an awesome book. I am not a big fan of the Classics, really - I usually get very bored very quickly with them, especially the Russians. I don't know if it's the characters I can't relate to, or the writing that puts me off, but I try to get through them and my interest drops off abruptly. Especially the Russians. God save me from the Russians.
But this? This was 1200 pages of concentrated awesome. A grand, intricate story of vengeance - and I do love my revenge stories - that I will definitely read again. And watching V For Vendetta is a lot more fun....

Over 1200 pages of suffering and revenge!
I enjoyed it. I did not like it quite as much as some of the other big classics I have read, but it was very good. The two things that brought it down a bit for me were:
- It felt a bit more drawn out than it needed to be. At a couple of points I was ready for Dumas to get to the point.
- Some of the plot was very convoluted. While this did lend itself well to the Count's intricate plotting, I would occasionally get to a chapter and say, "Wait, what!?" A f Over 1200 pages of suffering and revenge!
I enjoyed it. I did not like it quite as much as some of the other big classics I have read, but it was very good. The two things that brought it down a bit for me were:
- It felt a bit more drawn out than it needed to be. At a couple of points I was ready for Dumas to get to the point.
- Some of the plot was very convoluted. While this did lend itself well to the Count's intricate plotting, I would occasionally get to a chapter and say, "Wait, what!?" A few times I tried to reorient myself with chapter summaries online, but stopped after it became difficult to avoid spoilers.
With all the negative out of the way, I will say that is was definitely a great book. At times it was riveting. At others it was clever. At pretty much all times it was dark and seemingly hopeless. The unabridged is great because it has everything as Dumas wanted it, but it does require quite a bit of commitment.
Final judgement: A must for those who want to read all the classics, but probably a bit much for the causal reader.

4 out of 5

Alex Farrand–Apr 21, 2017

"all human wisdom is contained in these two words: 'wait' and 'hope'!"
My initial thoughts while staring at this behemoth of a novel were 1) I am going to be reading something very, very descriptive like Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, 2) it is going to take me forever to finish, and 3) I don't think I am ready for this novel, but I am going to start it anyways. Let me state that I LOVE Victor Hugo's work. I think his writing style is beautiful and very poetic, but drawn out. He could probably desc "all human wisdom is contained in these two words: 'wait' and 'hope'!"
My initial thoughts while staring at this behemoth of a novel were 1) I am going to be reading something very, very descriptive like Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, 2) it is going to take me forever to finish, and 3) I don't think I am ready for this novel, but I am going to start it anyways. Let me state that I LOVE Victor Hugo's work. I think his writing style is beautiful and very poetic, but drawn out. He could probably describe a blade of grass in the most descriptive way imaginable. It is outstanding, and I am a bit jealous of his ability. With that saying, you really need to be in the right mood to tackle his work, and to appreciate what he gives you. He described the top of Notre Dame like you are standing right on top peering down Paris. It is truly remarkable, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to take on the challenge. I was in a lazy sort of mood.
I have to say I was wrong. Alexandre Dumas' writing style is nothing like Victor Hugo's style. He didn't write super descriptively, but I could imagine the main character looking at his elegant art or expensive materials, and smell and taste the black bread, the sea water, and exotic foods that laid before him. He wrote in a multitude of different perspectives, but still surrounding the main theme, revenge. He intertwined his characters that I felt he was weaving a large blanket, or folding bread. There are layers encompassing this novel that I wanted to peel back as quick as possible to figure out what is going through the main character's mind. Damn it all, I felt like I was stuck in a perpetual cliff hanger. All I wanted was to read one more chapter, but CURSES I had to sleep. The chapters were at most twenty pages long, and I thought everything was fast pace. I was never bored reading this colossal novel.
The Count of Monte Cristo is about a young sailor named Edmund Dantes. He was full of life, happiness, and everything was going well for him, until a group of men set him up. Events lead to another, and the poor, good Edmund was incarcerated with hate in his heart. Can our poor Dantes get out of jail to seek his justly revenge?! Read this epic, revenge story about wrongful imprisonment and find out!
The thing about this story is it's realism. Wrongful imprisonment does happen. The documentary, Making a Murderer, and the tv show, Rectify, that are featured on Netflix showed people who were supposably wrongfully imprisoned. I didn't finish watching both of the shows, so I don't know how they ended. The last time I heard the guy in Making a Murderer is back in prison, so who knows. This story just brings the idea of how one man takes justice in his own hands when justice failed him.
“Thou shalt tear out the teeth of the dragon and trample the lion’s underfoot, thus saith the Lord.”
Who doesn't like a good revenge story? Seeing someone who was thrown in the darkest pits, to suffer, to be able to shove it all back in their enemies faces. I believe that is everyone who was bullied dream, like in Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion. (view spoiler)[The Count of Monte Cristo pristinely, but savagely strategizes his abuse on his enemies, that I found is the best form of revenge. To get under one's skin, and destroyed all the qualities of that human being is remarkable. It is like my younger sister knowing all the buttons to push to get me so agitated that I could scream. (hide spoiler)] I was left impressed with Edmund.
Edmund was the most remarkable character, of course. I thought Dumas wrote him very well. He transform him into a character that I never, ever, ever, ever want to cross, and would ask him to be my buddy on my deserted island. He was cunning, sarcastic, serious, intelligent, loving, caring, and most of all determined. I loved to follow him, and try to solve his puzzles. He also reminded me of another character I love, who is Francis of Lymond. A friend told me that Dorothy Dunnett loved Dumas, so it makes sense that her character is similar to Dumas'. Dorothy Dunnett's novel, Game of Kings, is more complex than Dumas' story.
The problems I had with the book were the length, so many characters, time, and just confusion. I wouldn't change the length of the book for all the skittles in the rainbow, but it is intimating to look at. Funny thing, my daughter loves to pick up this book and pretend to read about a fluffy cloud that falls out of the sky. Apparently she isn't that scared of the book. There were so many characters, and sometimes I would forget one. When they reappeared awhile later I would have to look them up to figure out their place in the story. Time seemed to fly by, and I wasn't certain of the time line of events, which left me confused and asking questions. Lastly, I was just generally confused trying to understand Edmund plan. I am pretty sure he juked me out in every corner, and I couldn't guess what would happen next. I am assuming he read the The Art of War by Sun Tzu, because he had great strategies. Everything does come clear, and you just have to wait patiently for the results.
Here is what I recommend you doing. If you decide to read this book, and you want the physical copy buy a hardcover. I am telling you for your own safety, buy the hardcover version. I know it cost a pretty penny, but you will thank me. I have the paperback version, and I ripped apart of the cover. BLAST IT! I don't like to wreck my binding, so the novel was just hard to hold because of it's thickness. I wish I had the hardcover version, it would of been worth the buy. Read this novel slowly, and let everything flow. Everything will be made clear, and satisfying. Also, try to find the right version. Some versions have missing parts, as I was told. Luckily, I believe I bought the right version, so YAY ME!
I did watch the 1934 film with Robert Donat, and I was surprised at all the differences. I understand they couldn't fit everything in one movie, because there is way too much stuff that goes on, but a few things I was shocked to see changed. It is still a good movie, don't get me wrong. He had a great mustache! I am just saying that is one damn impressive mustache. There was a sword fight, and Robert Donat acted great. Sadly, it just wasn't the same, and left me disappointed. There was a hole left in my heart. I am in search of the other versions of this famous novel. I shall wait and hope.
The question is how much do I really love this book? Well, I am willing to re-read it, and I hope to read more of Dumas' work soon, that is how much I loved this story. The Count of Monte Cristo is a remarkable, fast pace, epic revenge story about a man who was incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. I do recommend reading this huge novel at least once. Happy reading.

4 out of 5

Chelsea Humphrey–Jan 06, 2019

2019 is the year I get to my backlist and re-read some of the classics I haven't visited in years. It's been over a decade since I last read The Count of Monte Cristo, which is easily my favorite classic novel to date. Looking forward to taking my time through this one alongside my other reads!

5 out of 5

Kim–Dec 22, 2011

They don't write novels like this anymore. That's because they make television drama series and soap operas instead. To my mind, this novel is the 19th Century equivalent of a long-running and compelling television series. I can readily imagine being a reader of the Journal des Débats between August 1844 and January 1846, impatiently waiting for the next installment of Le Comte de Monte Cristo to be published, eagerly discussing each installment with my friends around the 19th Century equivalent
They don't write novels like this anymore. That's because they make television drama series and soap operas instead. To my mind, this novel is the 19th Century equivalent of a long-running and compelling television series. I can readily imagine being a reader of the Journal des Débats between August 1844 and January 1846, impatiently waiting for the next installment of Le Comte de Monte Cristo to be published, eagerly discussing each installment with my friends around the 19th Century equivalent of the water-cooler, exclaiming at each plot development, gasping at every cliff-hanger.
What fun it has been over the past few weeks to consume The Count of Monte Cristo in much the same way as I watched all seven seasons of The West Wing one after another a few years ago: wanting to spend as much time as I could with the story, yet simultaneously wanting to slow down in order to prolong the enjoyment, loving (almost) every moment of it. The Count of Monte Cristo is probably more Dallas than it is The West Wing, but you get the general idea.
The plot’s the thing here. Dumas (and his collaborator August Maquet) created a dense and complex story, the many threads of which are woven together into a most satisfying whole, with no threads left loose at the end of more than 1200 pages. This is the story Edmond Dantès’ revenge against the three men who caused him to be unjustly accused of treason and imprisoned for fourteen years. Dantès, who becomes the Count of Monte Cristo, carries out his revenge after developing a careful plan over many years. For him, revenge is most definitely a dish to be eaten cold. It’s also a dish which causes a degree of moral indigestion, as he comes to realise that what he sees as a divine obligation can have unintended (and horrific) consequences.
It’s far from a plausible story and it’s fair to say that the theme of revenge is more successfully realised than is the theme of redemption. The plot is indeed totally over the top, with elements of fable and fairy tale, replete with Orientalist imagery which for me brought to mind The Arabian Nights. Luckily for such an intricately plotted novel, the story moves along at a cracking pace, much of it in dialogue, which makes for an easy read notwithstanding the novel’s length.
Characterisation is somewhat sacrificed in the process of weaving the many strands of the plot together. While the Count himself is a compelling character, other characters are less so and female characters in particular are rather flat. One exception is Eugénie Danglars, who has the potential to be very interesting in her own right, although not enough time is spent with her for her potential to be fully realised. However, deficiencies in characterisation are more than made up for by the sheer thrill of the tale.
My enjoyment of The Count of Monte Cristo has been increased by it being a buddy read with several members of the Comfort Reads group. It has also been increased by listening to it as a French language audiobook downloaded from www.audiocite.net. Apart from hearing Dumas’ words as they were written, there was the immense joy of hearing beautiful, literary French, including the wonderful simple past tense, never heard in regular speech.
I can’t say that this is a flawless novel and deserves five stars for that reason. But I was on the edge of my seat as I listened to it for some 47 hours. As I neared the end, I started wondering just how soon I could justify a re-read. It doesn’t get much better than that.

5 out of 5

Joe–Feb 05, 2011

Every soap opera ever produced owes an enormous amount of debt to The Count of Monte Cristo, a sprawling, messy, over-the-top, gleefully melodramatic bitchslap fest.
In fact, I propose that the grandest of bitchslaps be henceforth referred to as a Monte Cristo Bitchslap because of the masterful manner in which Edmond Dantès delivers one colossal bitchslap after another to all who wronged him. And to those who wronged him by association? Thou shalt also receive a furious bitchslap! Clemency shall Every soap opera ever produced owes an enormous amount of debt to The Count of Monte Cristo, a sprawling, messy, over-the-top, gleefully melodramatic bitchslap fest.
In fact, I propose that the grandest of bitchslaps be henceforth referred to as a Monte Cristo Bitchslap because of the masterful manner in which Edmond Dantès delivers one colossal bitchslap after another to all who wronged him. And to those who wronged him by association? Thou shalt also receive a furious bitchslap! Clemency shall only be bestowed upon the righteous and goodly.
Over the centuries, many literary characters have aspired to be badasses - with middling to average results. It is Dantès, however, who can teach a Master's class on the topic.
Upon being accused of a crime he most certainly didn't commit, forcefully separated from the woman he loves, and imprisoned for an absurd amount of time in a remote, Alcatraz-like jail, our hero begins to craft his utterly convoluted revenge plot on the assholes who backstabbed him. It is a cleverly scaffolded plan indeed, but it would make even the most far-fetched plotline of Days of Our Lives seem plausible. That is, it is insufferably ridiculous but unbelievably enjoyable to watch unfold.
After what can only be described as The Most Insane Jailbreak Ever, Dantès spends hundreds of pages brooding and carefully constructing the ruses under which his punishments can be delivered in gasp-worthy bitchslaps. Multiple backstories also unfold, further detailing the astonishing depth of his plot while also providing the reader with the nagging suspicion that author Alexandre Dumas was not playing with a full deck of cards. (view spoiler)[Babies are buried and brought back to life (hide spoiler)] ! (view spoiler)[Girls dress as men and abscond to faraway hotels (hide spoiler)] ! (view spoiler)[Men murder their wives in cold blood over diamonds (hide spoiler)] ! (view spoiler)[Paraplegic mutes communicate with only their eyeballs (hide spoiler)] ! It's as if every idea that ever popped into Dumas' delirious brain makes an appearance in the book. Maybe that's why it's 1,462 pages. Oh is the payoff worth it, though.
If revenge is a dish best served cold, then the final three hundred pages of the book achieve Antarctic levels of chilliness. The consequences of betraying Edmond Dantès are seismic. God help you if you're in this camp, for you will be the sorriest son-of-a-bitch who ever graced Planet Earth when Dantès points to your rotten, conniving soul and bellows "J'ACCUSE!" There is much gnashing of teeth, clawing at clothes, and raising of eyes Heavenward. There is much begging and pleading.
But mercy will not be granted.
Because you were an idiot and had no idea who you were fucking with: the Greatest Badass of Western Literature. Bow down.

5 out of 5

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽–Jun 01, 2014

So one of the nice things Goodreads has done for me is bring me some really cool friends who inspire me to flex my brain a little harder and read more classics. And the unabridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo, clocking in at over 1000 pages, is a monster of a classic.
I was familiar with the Count's story from seeing an old movie or two, but reading the book, of course, is a whole different level of experiencing it. The first part of the book filled me with dread as I waited for disaster So one of the nice things Goodreads has done for me is bring me some really cool friends who inspire me to flex my brain a little harder and read more classics. And the unabridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo, clocking in at over 1000 pages, is a monster of a classic.
I was familiar with the Count's story from seeing an old movie or two, but reading the book, of course, is a whole different level of experiencing it. The first part of the book filled me with dread as I waited for disaster to strike; the second part made me truly feel Edmond Dantes' despair, as he was thrown into a dungeon in the historical Chateau d'If by greedy, power-seeking, selfish and lustful men, to spend the rest of his life in squalor.
After 14 years, Edmond (soon to become the Count) escapes from his island prison and things really start to get interesting as he plans and executes his revenge on the four men who conspired to ruin his life. Dumas' writing, even after 170 years and in translation, is powerful and moving, and the Count's complex and intricately planned revenge was awe-inspiring. Our buddy read group -- Hana, Jaima and I -- had a great time analyzing what was happening in the story, and discussing various Biblical and other literary allusions. (Our discussion can be followed in the comments attached to our reviews, but be warned that those threads are Spoiler City.)
But as we started getting closer to the end of the Count's revenge and this story, things started to go off the rails for all of us. The Count clearly views himself as an avenging angel, almost as a god himself, on a divine mission to punish the wicked. This view (which the author seems to share) becomes more and more uncomfortable as the death and destruction spread.
My problems with this book, and the reasons it gets 4 stars rather than 5, are extremely spoilerish:
(view spoiler)[ The Count's revenge extends itself to innocent members of the original plotters' families, which he justifies by (wrong-headedly) quoting the Old Testament scripture about the punishment of God extending itself to the third and fourth generations of their children. He finds peoples' weaknesses and exploits them, suggesting an untraceable poison to a mother who he knows is anxious to see her young son inherit great wealth. Only when that young son is also dead, does the Count begin to question whether he has gone too far: Monte Cristo became pale at this horrible sight; he felt that he had passed beyond the bounds of vengeance, and that he could no longer say, "God is for and with me."But then, amazingly and disappointingly, he decides he cannot have been mistaken all of these years and that it is simply his lack of clear sight creating this doubt. He does show some mercy to the last conspirator, but this final act of mercy seems to be prompted by the Count's pride rather than by a realization that he was wrong in any way.
Another issue was that the Count's former fiancée, Mercedes, whose only sin was to get married to someone else after the Count was taken to prison, is left to spend the rest of her life sorrowing and alone, while the Count (who's in his 40s now) has a beautiful, young Greek slave fall in love with him and essentially give him a new start in life and love. After everything he did wrong, it really irked me that the Count gets to sail off into the sunset with this gorgeous young girl while Mercedes has to spend the rest of her life meditating in solitude.
The Count also decides to save the life of one of the conspirators' daughters, the young--and completely innocent--Valentine, but only because Maximillien, the son of a man who was loyal to the Count, is in love with Valentine. But then he decides, for no good reason, to allow Max to believe for an entire month that Valentine was dead. His gall in this subplot was unjustified and beyond unmitigated, and neither of these sweet people calls him on it or gets the least bit angry about being so manipulated. (hide spoiler)]
Final gripe: why does everyone in this book who's in love have to have the attitude that death is better than being separated from their love, or their love is not true? I've come across it in several Victorian-era books (it still lives on in some books like Twilight), and it seriously annoys me every time. Yes, it sucks if you can't marry the person you love, or if the person you love dies. But this does not mean that your life is over and you should commit suicide -- or even swear off loving anyone else and mope around for the remainder of your days. Life goes on. If you allow yourself to move on, you will find that you're more resilient than you think. /rant
I really don't object to reading about a flawed hero, but it does bother me that the author (view spoiler)[lets him off so easily at the end. This would have been a five-star book for me if it had been clearer that the Count had paid a heavy psychological or spiritual price for going down such a dark path. And maybe if he didn't get to take off in the end with a hero-worshipping young trophy wife. (hide spoiler)] In any case, though, this a marvelous, intricate book that gave me a lot of food for thought, despite its flaws.

5 out of 5

J–May 19, 2008

What does it say about me as a critic when the best book I’ve read all year was first serialized in the 1840s? From start to finish thoroughly enjoyable, Alexandre Dumas’ 1200 page revenge epic The Count of Monte Cristo wastes little time in not thrusting the plot along, quite violently so at times, and includes within a brief, sketchy history of the return of Napoleon and his subsequent second defeat, a primer on hashish, and a proto-seed for the detective tale that would later blossom under Po What does it say about me as a critic when the best book I’ve read all year was first serialized in the 1840s? From start to finish thoroughly enjoyable, Alexandre Dumas’ 1200 page revenge epic The Count of Monte Cristo wastes little time in not thrusting the plot along, quite violently so at times, and includes within a brief, sketchy history of the return of Napoleon and his subsequent second defeat, a primer on hashish, and a proto-seed for the detective tale that would later blossom under Poe and Doyle.
The story is less well known than that in The Three Musketeers, though the outline is familiar to anyone who’s spent time reading and watching noir fiction and movies. A young sailor, Edmond Dantès, engaged to be married to the beautiful Mercédès, is accused of a crime he has not committed by a man in love with his fiancée. The accuser, Fernand, is assisted in his perfidy by one of Dantès’ shipmates, Danglars, and an envious neighbor, Caderousse, as well as the political calculations of the young royal prosecutor Villefort. Cast into prison for fourteen years, Dantès befriends an Abbé written off by prison officials as crazy who bequeaths to him on his deathbed a hidden fortune. Escaping from prison, Dantès finds the treasure, buys himself the title of Count, and returns to France to put into effect his long-nurtured schemes of revenge.
All of that takes place within the novel’s first 250 pages. The remaining one thousand allows the plot of slow-planned revenge time to stretch its legs, look about, and move forward with the inexorable pacing of Fate. Dantès, now in his persona of the Count (as well as in other various disguises such as the Englishman Lord Wilmore and the Italian Abbé Busoni), plots a revenge that capitalizes on each character’s weakness and vanity.
Sensing the malevolence in Villefort’s young wife, he introduces her to a sleeping draught/poison of his own devising, with which she begins to poison members of the prosecutor’s family in an attempt to secure a sizable inheritance for her son by a previous marriage. Through one scheme after another he reduces the proud banker that Danglars has become to a penniless wreck. A similar betrayal in Fernand’s past is resuscitated in part by the Count and rises up to disgrace him permanently. Caderrouse destroys himself through his own base greed and cunning.
All of this unfolds with delicious grace, and you relish each move the Count makes in his ongoing revenge, but underneath it all, a creeping note begins to sneak into the story. When Dantès himself was sent to prison, it was an action aimed solely at him by the three conspirators, and yet the ripples of this violence stretched outwards, consuming his fiancée Mercédès; crippling the business of his former employer Morrel, who never found a young captain equal to Dantès; and crushing the life out of Dantès’ father, who eventually died of starvation. The Count comes to see, through his friendships with the next generation of all the major players, how his actions cause grief and suffering that extend beyond the targets of his own revenge.
This realization makes up the novel’s closing chapters wherein the Count mulls over the right of vengeance and the notion of redemption and comes to peace with his idea of a godly revenge. Partly this is inspired by an earlier episode when he is required to save the life of Villefort’s daughter as she is in love with (and is loved by) Morrel’s son Maximilian. But also a great deal of this has to do with Dantès’ love for Mercédès, as well as his newfound love for Haydée, a young Greek, daughter of the Ali Pasha, and his (Dantès’) slave.
In fact, these are the twin threads around which the entirety of the story revolves, love and revenge. It is Fernand’s love for Mercédès that leads to his conspiracy against Dantès. It is Dantès love for Mercédès that keeps him alive in prison. It is Maximilian Morrel’s love of Valentine Villefort that saves her life, as much as it is Dantès’ love of Maximilian’s father. Likewise, Madame de Villefort’s love of her son directs her toward her poisoning scheme.
And while it is Dantès’ revenge that brings every character to a reckoning, there is in each of the characters’ pasts delinquent accounts that eventually must be paid, a revenge against them by Fate of which Dantès is only the tool. Caderousse’s backstabbing and betrayals will eventually get the better of him; Villefort’s illegitimate child will also return to play havoc with his name and reputation; Danglars’ cupidity will trap him in a bandit’s layer; and Fernand’s own treachery will lead to his public humiliation.
In this, it is as if Dumas is saying that all wicked men carry within them the seeds of their own destruction, carry it close to their hearts as part and parcel of who they are. Those who live to a ripe old age without a calling to the judge, jury, and executioner of Fate are only blessed in that they never double-crossed a Dantès.
In part based on a true story, Dumas’ novel runs through its 1200 pages with a leonine hunger and rapidity. While he may have been paid by the line, the man was such an elegant craftsman that it is hard in thinking back through the novel to come up with any one part that could be successfully pared away without hurting much of the novel’s concerns and central conceits. To lose many of the complicated subplots would make a hash of not only Dantès’ schemes and plans, but would also fatally weaken Dumas’ central message of justified vengeance versus pure malevolence.
If there is any part of the Count’s character that at times must give the reader pause, it isn’t his heartlessness toward his enemies or his financial profligacy en route to his revenge (he literally tosses around millions of francs), it’s that he lives so strongly for a certain structured effect. The scene of the Morrel family salvation, when Dantès, in his first act since coming to his wealth, rescues his former employer from ruin and suicide, plays itself out up to the very last second. This is no doubt Dumas playing suspense thriller with his readership, but it leaves somewhat of a bad taste. We are given a Count who prefers design to humanity, and while this is all very good for one’s enemies, a bit more heart toward one’s friends would be appreciated.
It’s a minor enough quibble in well over a thousand pages that, let me repeat unequivocally, barely lets up or gives you time to turn your attention elsewhere. But it remains, long after other larger scenes have left my memory, as a kind of capricious cruelty. Perhaps we need to be somewhat frightened of the Count ourselves; perhaps it is a warning, slyly inserted well to the beginning of the revenge scenario. See, before you plot yourselves, the author seems to imply, see what inhumanity revenge can make you capable of. It is a haunting suggestion.

5 out of 5

Celeste–Jan 26, 2015

Full review now posted!
I finally finished! I feel like I’ve been reading this forever. Not because I didn’t like it, of course. Au contraire, I loved it! It’s a wonderful book, and definitely deserves it’s status as a classic. But it was dense and intricate and long, and wasn’t a book to be sped through. This tome is meant to be savored, and savor it I did. The Count of Monte Cristo is without a doubt the best tale of vengeance I’ve ever read, and one of the most intricately plotted books I’ve e Full review now posted!
I finally finished! I feel like I’ve been reading this forever. Not because I didn’t like it, of course. Au contraire, I loved it! It’s a wonderful book, and definitely deserves it’s status as a classic. But it was dense and intricate and long, and wasn’t a book to be sped through. This tome is meant to be savored, and savor it I did. The Count of Monte Cristo is without a doubt the best tale of vengeance I’ve ever read, and one of the most intricately plotted books I’ve ever had the pleasure of picking up.
Edmond Dantes seems to have it all together. He loves his career aboard a merchant vessel, and the love of his life is waiting to marry him when he returns home. But there are those in his life who are jealous of his good fortune, of his love, of his happiness. And so, jealous “friends” plot the downfall of Dantes, and he’s arrested on his wedding day. His prosecutor, though he knows Dantes is innocent, is faced with information that would shine a terrible light on himself. Information that only Dantes knows. And so, the prosecutor has Dantes sent to Chateau d’If, where he hopes the prisoner will never be heard from again. But fate has other plans, and vengeance will be wrought on these four men who had succumbed to jealousy and ruined the life of another.
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the most mysterious characters I’ve ever encountered. He’s richer than Midas, no one knows anything about his past, including his name, and he takes Paris completely by storm when he appears on the scene. He is both an avenging angel and an angel of mercy. As he ingratiates himself into three important families on the Parisian scene, we get to know these families and watch as their lives fall apart around them.
I’ve only ever read the abridged version of this book before. The Great Illustrated Classic was my very favorite book when I was about 8 or so. And I read the more “grown-up” abridged version in eighth grade. I thought I knew the story pretty well, but I wanted to have read the book in its entirety, so I finally picked it up. And I almost put it down. There were so many little details in the middle section of the book that I thought were superfluous. I got so bogged down for a while, and almost decided that the abridged version had been enough. But my mama didn’t raise no quitter, so I stuck with it. And I’m so glad that I did!
Those little details that I thought were pointless? They really mattered. As I started nearing the end and seeing how all of these small details were coming back into play, I was completely stunned by complex the plot was. Every single tiny aspect of this book, all of the things that I thought weren’t necessary were totally necessary. I was blown away by how everything came together in the end.
I could write a thousand more words about the characters, the methods of vengeance, the plot twists, and more. But, even though this is a classic story, I don’t want to spoil anything for those who have little exposure to the story. Suffice it to say that, without this book, our culture would be missing something, as this book has served as foundation and inspiration for countless stories in various formats. Is this a quick, easy read? Not even close. Is it worth the time and effort necessary to read it? It is indeed. Give it a read, but take your time. Don’t rush.
“All human wisdom is contained in these two words - Wait and Hope.”
For more of my reviews, as well as my own fiction and thoughts on life, check out my blog, Celestial Musings.

4 out of 5

Brian Yahn–Aug 06, 2013

This book is long. Everything about it feels long--from the words, to the sentences, to the scenes. Given that it was serially published and Dumas therefore made his money by the word, it's obvious why. But trust me, this story is NOT a waste of time.
What it is--is everything. What starts as a thriller, becomes a Game of Thrones-style soap opera, and finishes as a murder mystery. It's a revenge story, in theory, but more than anything it's about love. It's really an existential coming-of-age for This book is long. Everything about it feels long--from the words, to the sentences, to the scenes. Given that it was serially published and Dumas therefore made his money by the word, it's obvious why. But trust me, this story is NOT a waste of time.
What it is--is everything. What starts as a thriller, becomes a Game of Thrones-style soap opera, and finishes as a murder mystery. It's a revenge story, in theory, but more than anything it's about love. It's really an existential coming-of-age for adults. The length of seven books, The Count of Monte Cristo contains nearly as many themes and plots and characters. Probably, it covers twice as many subjects. It's basically a Bible.
Something tricky about it is that the first hundred and some pages are absolutely phenomenal. The story starts better than just about anything else, which kind of surprised me. For something of this length, I expected it to be slow--and at times it is--but the beginning is definitely a page turner, one that doesn't read dated at all, which again surprised me. This book is like two hundred years old and translated from French--and while at times it's as head-scratching as Shakespeare--the beginning feels like reading a really good Michael Crichton book.
Edmond Dantes / The Count of Monte Cristo is, logically, the first character introduced. He's incredibly likable from the start: he's 19, has his shit together, treats his father like gold, is madly in love, and excellent at his job. In short, there's a Disney story ahead of him. Just thinking about it is exciting, until in quick succession several extremely unlikable characters are introduced whom all conspire against him. They're jealous little evil bitches and they plot and scheme, and as their deeds unfold, the story becomes a thriller. Unfortunately, the characters that start the book are definitely the best, beside one or two others. Fortunately, after they throw a giant fork into Dantes' road, they don't just disappear. No, this is a revenge story. They come back and get what they got coming to 'em.
The problems start to arise after the first 300 or so pages, after Dantes gets screwed, suffers, loses hope, becomes bitter, and transcends into the Count of Monte Cristo. After this, about 15 new characters are introduced, only one of whom really measures up to the previous cast. Dumas spends the next 500 pages of the story predominately fleshing out these characters in the form of a soap opera, which is frustrating. The previous ones are so good, you're way more eager to learn about them. It feels like you're getting off topic, lost in new characters that only fit into the story tangentially by theme. And, although this part isn't necessarily bad or insufferable, compared to the thrilling first act, this soap opera seems that way. It doesn't help that this part of the story is when the language dates itself, the sentences grow to their longest, the dialogue seems like one soliloquy after another, and the words they speak are plain archaic. The story seems to go downhill, quickly picking up steam, ultimately headed for a nasty crash and burn.
It doesn't. If the first hundred pages aren't the best in all of literature, it's only because the last hundred are somehow even better. All of the crazy complexity Dumas writes into the second act of the story comes together in the third. What seemed to only tangentially fit into the story becomes the glue that holds together a masterpiece. And when The Count of Monte Cristo starts exacting his revenge you spent 900 pages eagerly anticipating, of course it's satisfying as hell. What makes it even better is seeing Edmond Dantes resurface himself in the ugly skin of Monte Cristo. After all his misery has made his existence merely to put others through worse (albeit somewhat justifiably), you start to love him again, and he shows that The Count of Monte Cristo isn't a simple revenge story that went on for way too long. No, it's much more than that.
But if you want to know, you'll just have to read it for yourself. Wait and hope, my friend, wait and hope.

4 out of 5

Lisa–Jun 25, 2014

“When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever.”
"How on earth are we going to get students to concentrate on learning?" That was my colleague's frustrated question some days ago. "They are just so easily distracted, spoon-fed entertainment all the time. Where do we find time and place for them to absorb the knowledge they need to become persevering, educated, focused and determined grown-ups?"
My spontaneo “When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever.”
"How on earth are we going to get students to concentrate on learning?" That was my colleague's frustrated question some days ago. "They are just so easily distracted, spoon-fed entertainment all the time. Where do we find time and place for them to absorb the knowledge they need to become persevering, educated, focused and determined grown-ups?"
My spontaneous answer:
"We lock them into the Château d'If for fourteen years, with the brilliant Abbé Faria as a mentor, and tiny tools to dig through the stone wall as sole distraction!"
And out of the young, naive, happy-go-lucky, carefree Edmond Dantès we would form the majestic Count of Monte Cristo. There is a catch of course, and Abbé Faria himself knew that: he had not only given his student a perfect education, and taught him the art of deduction as well as social behaviour. He had also, with regret, taught him the dark and painful passion of revenge. That, of course, is not necessarily a skill I would wish my students to acquire. But there is another layer to the jokingly expressed thoughts in the staff room:
What made me think of the Count of Monte Cristo in the first place? Why did it give me and my colleague a moment of pleasure while we shared frustration over the lack of focus and concentration that comes with consistent exposure to online activities on screens and their random thread of information without depth or context?
The imaginary story is our revenge on the reality we can't change! By remembering childhood reading pleasure, we escaped the Château d'If of contemporary educational issues for a moment, and travelled in time and space to a world of adventure, excitement, and entertainment that lasts a lifetime. I doubt if students even remember after half an hour what they "really needed to check on google" very quickly, but the itinerary of Edmond Dantès is with me forever. I will never forget him, and how he learned what drove his presumed friends to send him to imprisonment: love, money, career. The driving forces in humanity. And I will never forget how utterly satisfied I was with his perfect revenge, even though I realised from the beginning that it would be rather evil if carried out in real life, instead of on paper.
That is what literature is for, partially at least. To let the imagination take over, to offer satisfaction and closure for the story lines that just confusedly continue in real life, with no end in sight (like threads on the internet).
I wish my students would read the Count of Monte Cristo to experience the feeling of escapism in the old-fashioned way, by diving deep into one literary mission and following that one thread to the bitter end, instead of letting themselves be carried away on random odysseys in the shallow waters of the internet. I think that would help them concentrate and focus, just like Edmond Dantès. But I hear myself sighing in response to my own suggestion:
"They don't read anymore! Not that kind of book!"
But maybe, if we shut them into the Château d'If? I'd be prepared to take their revenge afterwards, if they came out prepared for life and equipped with the skills they need!
And for those of you who do not know me yet: my introductory lesson plan with each new class is always:
1. "How to understand my teacher's sense of humour?"
2. What is irony?
3. What is sarcasm?
Example: If I say I want to lock up my students, how likely is it to be true? Answers may vary!

“All human wisdom is contained in these two words - Wait and Hope”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
One of those grand epics like Les Misérables and David Copperfield that does more than create a world the reader temporarily inhabits. This is a novel which creates a whole grand revenge myth. I would second Umberto Eco's take that this is one of the "most gripping novels ever written, and on the other hand one of the most badly written novels of all time and all literatures."
This is a “All human wisdom is contained in these two words - Wait and Hope”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
One of those grand epics like Les Misérables and David Copperfield that does more than create a world the reader temporarily inhabits. This is a novel which creates a whole grand revenge myth. I would second Umberto Eco's take that this is one of the "most gripping novels ever written, and on the other hand one of the most badly written novels of all time and all literatures."
This is a story of an Übermensch/Byronic hero and the grandfather of all revenge and psychological thriller novels. I remember the first time I read 'Les Miserables', I almost read straight through. Now, 25 years older, I don't have the same reading endurance, but the feeling of urgency and addiction was close. I read this in 3.5 days (while working full-time and giving token attention to family duties). 'The Count of Monte Cristo's' plot doesn't just push you forward, rather it tosses you down
cliff
after
cliff.
I give it four stars for the obnoxious writing, repetition of bad adjectives, and unnecessary descriptions of unnecessary events in a book that is already 1200 pages. While I'm not a big believer in editing or abridging a writer's work, Dumas would have been a bit better served with a modern, aggressive editor (notice I didn't say contemporary editor, there are no more contemporary editors). For that I leave off one star ... perhaps one day I'll add it. For now, I will just 'wait and hope.'

4 out of 5

Em Lost In Books–May 21, 2018

I generally don't read classics. it's only in last 2-3 years that i have started collecting these lovely penguin classics editions and i emphasis here on "collecting" as it is easier than reading. But now i have been slowly going through my physical bookshelf. last year I read David Copperfield and this year it's Idiot and now this. Okay, I started Idiot and Cristo last year and finally finished reading them this year.
Finishing this tome was a real challenge as you get to know within few chapte I generally don't read classics. it's only in last 2-3 years that i have started collecting these lovely penguin classics editions and i emphasis here on "collecting" as it is easier than reading. But now i have been slowly going through my physical bookshelf. last year I read David Copperfield and this year it's Idiot and now this. Okay, I started Idiot and Cristo last year and finally finished reading them this year.
Finishing this tome was a real challenge as you get to know within few chapters that it will be a revenge story. There are plot twists that one would guess about miles ahead, the character at times felt shallow and sometimes it seems like things were exaggerated for no reason. but would i change this for anything else? No. because it would feel like you have cut an essential limb from the body.
it is scary to see how close Dumas has come to predict the future through this story. He talks about betrayal, corruption, jealousy, politics, and love in this book and even after 170 years society has not changed, if possible things has gotten worse.
With a length of 1276 pages and utterly predictable, this book is still an amazing adventure to go on. I rolled my eyes at times, giggled like a child, felt angry for injustice, and fist bumped in the air yelling "YES". this story made me feel so many emotions and it's a story that will stay with me forever.

4 out of 5

Joey Woolfardis–Jun 13, 2015

Read as part of The Infinite Variety Reading Challenge, based on the BBC's Big Read Poll of 2003.
I have spent the last few weeks-ever since finishing War and Peace-reading Modern Classics, of which genre I am rather new to and not at all enjoying as much as others have lead me to believe I would, and I have never felt a love for Classic Literature so deep within my heart as I did when I finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo. I still retain a hope that a Modern Classic that I enjoy as much a Read as part of The Infinite Variety Reading Challenge, based on the BBC's Big Read Poll of 2003.
I have spent the last few weeks-ever since finishing War and Peace-reading Modern Classics, of which genre I am rather new to and not at all enjoying as much as others have lead me to believe I would, and I have never felt a love for Classic Literature so deep within my heart as I did when I finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo. I still retain a hope that a Modern Classic that I enjoy as much as I do pre-20th works will pop up somewhere, but I am thinking it is becoming an increasingly unlikely scenario.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a behemoth of French 19th Century Literature of a decidedly vengeful flavour. I have read very little French literature, having spent most of my time on the English variety, but this book still retains some very English-type Classic Literature qualities (I would presume the translation had a little to do with this) and read true to the Classical style. Descriptive yet punctual, with large amounts of dialogue that are not just diatribes or means to translate the plot to the reader.
Edmond Dantés is a poor unfortunate soul whom fate seems not to like as he is betrayed by men he has no reason to dislike-or so he thinks-and is thrown in to the Château d'If and the key is thrown thereafter (but in a different direction). Edmond Dantés-later the Count of Monte Cristo-is a most marvellous man, with many flaws, many perfections and many wonders. I enjoyed him immensely, as I did most of the characters. I find that women in Classic Literature are treated in varying ways, but Dumas has a kind of Dickensian way about his writing of women: they are not weak or placid or there only to be abused or looked at, but there again they are often very 19th Century in other ways. Very few people can make me feel a sympathy for the Upper Classes of society and Dumas appears to have done it.
Another side to Classic Literature that I love is the world-building. Whilst most of the land that we read about in these books still exist today, Classics evoke the true sense of how they were over a hundred years ago and I rarely feel that in other types of books. You can describe a place in Scotland for a Scottish Noir Crime Thriller as detailed and grimy as you want but I rarely get the sense of the place as a whole: Dumas truly evokes the destitute calmness of the Château d'If, of the spartan and isolated island of Monte Cristo and of the many luxurious abodes of the Count himself. I have not felt as transported with a book like I have with this one.
Of course, it was not without fault. I feel almost every single same emotion and opinion on The Count of Monte Cristo as I did with War and Peace and that includes the reasons for not giving a perfect rating. It was too long-it just was. There are plenty of long Classics ranging from 400-700 pages that are perfectly serviced by their Not-1000-Pages and I feel that's where this book fell short. This means that there are paragraphs, here and there-dotted about in no particular pattern-that are utterly tedious and don't contribute to the story very much, if at all. I cannot bring myself to ignore such moments of tedium, no matter how much I enjoy the story, the characters or the plot, because I know-and have read-books that are not this long but are just as well written.
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5 out of 5

❄️Nani❄️–Dec 12, 2017

PERFECTION. THE END.
12/12/17
Is it at all possible to get this excited!??
HELLO, DEAREST BOOKWORMS, THIS IS A GOOD DAY!
Ever had a book - that one book - that’s stuck with you since the moment you read it? The one that holds a special place in your heart?
I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to finally re-read -yet again- one of my all-time favourite books and the excitement is getting too much. Seriously, I think I'm going to be sick.
I know a re-read doesn’t sound that exciting but this is a boo
PERFECTION. THE END.
12/12/17
Is it at all possible to get this excited!??
HELLO, DEAREST BOOKWORMS, THIS IS A GOOD DAY!
Ever had a book - that one book - that’s stuck with you since the moment you read it? The one that holds a special place in your heart?
I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to finally re-read -yet again- one of my all-time favourite books and the excitement is getting too much. Seriously, I think I'm going to be sick.
I know a re-read doesn’t sound that exciting but this is a book to which I owe SO MUCH DEBT and GRATITUDE. The book that made me fall in love with reading. The book I still remember reading for the first time when I was a kid. My special book. 💕 😍
And I reckon that this is what joy feels like. I’m going to revel in every moment and take my sweet time with it. Hope you're all enjoying your reads as much as I am.😍

4 out of 5

İntellecta–Oct 28, 2017

a wonderful classic in which feelings such as patience, plot, love, hatred and revenge were handled as best as possible.

4 out of 5

Bradley–May 13, 2018

FINALLY got around to reading this classic for the first time.
I mean, who doesn't love a GOOD revenge story, right? Alas, it's a lot more than just that! At 1200 pages, don't you think it ought to be? :)
I'll skip a breakdown of the plot because a ton of people will already have done this or watched some version on TV, but since I have also never watched a movie of this, I cannot say how well they do.
I CAN, however, say that I was never bored. Not once. From conspiracy and intrigue, the hope of a FINALLY got around to reading this classic for the first time.
I mean, who doesn't love a GOOD revenge story, right? Alas, it's a lot more than just that! At 1200 pages, don't you think it ought to be? :)
I'll skip a breakdown of the plot because a ton of people will already have done this or watched some version on TV, but since I have also never watched a movie of this, I cannot say how well they do.
I CAN, however, say that I was never bored. Not once. From conspiracy and intrigue, the hope of a grand happy life, dashed, the fear of Napoleon coming back to the mainland driving some jerks to frame the poor kid Edmund Dantes and sentence him to a life in a nasty castle prison on the eve of his own wedding... it sounds glorious, fantastically evil. And it is. But that's just the start of the fun.
In prison, he befriends and is befriended by a learned man of the cloth with great knowledge and the secret of a great treasure, but it still takes Eddy 14 years of his youth to orchestrate a grand escape by way of a cannonball attached to his leg, being tossed into the sea as the dead.
What drives him is REVENGE on those people who put him away through no fault of his own.
The other 850 pages is a wild rags-to-riches story as he takes on the guise of the brilliantly rich Count of Monte Cristo as he inveigles, bribes, buys, and cons his way into high society in Paris. He never loses sight of his overarching theme of revenge, looking up and looking into every one of the creeps that took away his whole future, but unlike the modern tales of revenge we're familiar with, he does it in a very Christian way.
If a man properly repents and does good deeds, Eddy forgives. If the jerk remains a jerk, then Eddy conspires with all his intelligence and wealth to bring about the utter ruin of his enemy. And I mean utter ruin. Not just their wealth, but their family, their hopes, even their very souls... he casts them down into the abyss. :) Slowly. Carefully. Eddy is never blithe about his task. He makes sure it is the right thing to do, always questioning, always giving his enemies more and more and more rope... and through many diverse plot threads, we see the noose close around each and all... unless they are good.
And like judge, jury, and executioner, Eddy gives each of them their just desserts. :)
Classic? More than classic. It's still an easy and delightful read even for us moderns. Timeless? Perhaps. One of the best novels ever written?
Yes.
With one caveat. There's a lot of modern favorites in the movies and novels that take directly from the plots and themes here. Like, huge swaths. Like Shawshank Redemption and V for Vendetta. These movies even make huge references to the Count. :)
It also has a rich tradition in my own personal favorite genres such as SF. The Demolished Man by Bester very strongly comes to mind, as does the Lightbringer books by Weeks in Fantasy. :)
It's telling that stories like this are still such huge crowd pleasers, no? What's wrong with us??? lol

4 out of 5

Paula W–Sep 16, 2016

I decided in January to spend a year reading classics that I never wanted to read. I joined a classics reading group and carefully chose books that I thought I would like, and am thrilled to say that I have read some wonderful stories. I gave books like East of Eden, Wuthering Heights, The Odyssey, and The Master and Margarita a solid 4 stars because I thought they were fantastic. I gave books like Hamlet, Bleak House, and The Idiot 5 stars because they are those rare books that change lives. Th I decided in January to spend a year reading classics that I never wanted to read. I joined a classics reading group and carefully chose books that I thought I would like, and am thrilled to say that I have read some wonderful stories. I gave books like East of Eden, Wuthering Heights, The Odyssey, and The Master and Margarita a solid 4 stars because I thought they were fantastic. I gave books like Hamlet, Bleak House, and The Idiot 5 stars because they are those rare books that change lives. They definitely changed mine.
Using those criteria, I would give The Count of Monte Cristo a squintillion stars if I could. This is not only the best book I have read this year, it easily surpassed my favorite book of all time. I remember when I finished the last sentence of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and I cried so hard because it was all over. I wanted to forget that I had read it and start over to experience that amazingness again for the first time. This is the first novel I have read since then that made me feel the same way.
This is a story of a young sailor who had everything going for him: a good mind, a good soul, the respect of his crew, a future job as a captain, the confidence of his boss, the adoration of his father, and the love of a beautiful woman who had promised to be his wife. In an instant, and truly in just the first few chapters of this very long novel, all that was taken from him by a bunch of envious, jealous, and greedy shitwad bastards who DESERVED TO DIE THE MOST HORRIBLE DEATHS FOR WHAT THEY DID ................ I'm sorry, I guess I got a bit emotional there.
Actually, I got emotional through this entire novel. I cried; I cheered; I laughed. I went to sleep thinking about the characters and woke up thinking about revenge. I wanted to find a way to go back in time and burn down France for a fictional character. The author did an admirable job of putting me right in the story and feeling the hatred, love, fear, sympathy, and all the other feels that the characters experienced. This is a novel that will put your emotions through the ringer.
This is also a novel that will make you think and question. How far is it okay to go? When do you stop? For whom do you stop? Is this okay? Is God on the side of the good guys or the bad guys? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? Does checking out from humanity protect you or isolate you? What happens when you want to return, and how do you get there?
As The Count himself said, "All human wisdom is contained in these two words: 'wait' and 'hope'!"
Here are my words of wisdom: Read the unabridged version translated by Robin Buss. It has a chapter that many versions leave out, and that chapter, at least to me, is vital.

4 out of 5

Algernon–Jun 09, 2013

"Why read the classics?" asks Italo Calvino in an essay that I know about, but I haven't yet read. My own attempt at an answer is that they are the foundation our current culture and worldview are based on. In another approximate quote that right now I am unable to source correctly : we are able to look further into the world because we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Alexandre Dumas is one of these giants, often mischaracterized as a simple adventure peddler or as a young adult oriente
"Why read the classics?" asks Italo Calvino in an essay that I know about, but I haven't yet read. My own attempt at an answer is that they are the foundation our current culture and worldview are based on. In another approximate quote that right now I am unable to source correctly : we are able to look further into the world because we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Alexandre Dumas is one of these giants, often mischaracterized as a simple adventure peddler or as a young adult oriented author, a victim of his own huge popularity. Like many other young boys, I have been thoroughly enchanted by the humorous and daring deeds of the three-plus-one musketeers, but I was wary of picking up the much bulkier tome describing the trials and tribulations of the Count of Monte Cristo. Why bother spending weeks struggling with the kitten-squisher, when there are already several movie versions available? and why waste my time with a book for children when I can read some 'serious' stuff? The same Italo Calvino suggested a special shelf in the bookstore for this kind of famous novel : Books That Everybody's Read So It's As If You Had Read Them, Too" . The actual content is a lot more mature and philosophical than I expected : (view spoiler)[ as the introduction mentions : "There are not many children's books, even in our own time, that involve a female serial poisoner, two cases of infanticide, a stabbing and three suicides; an extended scene of torture and execution; drug-induced sexual fantasies, illegitimacy, transvestism and lesbianism; a display of the author's classical learning, and his knowledge of modern European history, the customs and diet of the Italians, the effects of hashish, and so on." (hide spoiler)]
With such a famous subject, inclusion of a synposis and a warning of spoilers should be superfluous, but here's both : Reading further may expose you to spoilers!
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A young sailor from Marseille named Edmont Dantes is falsely accused of being a traitor and a spy for Napoleon, exiled on the island of Elba at the time. On the eve of his bethrotal, Edmont is sent to the Chateau d'If prison where he will spend almost two decades locked in a solitary dungeon. After a daring escape and helped by the discovery of a hidden treasure, he will return to France to exact his revenge from the people who betrayed him.
He was a young man of between eighteen and twenty, tall, slim, with fine dark eyes and ebony-black hair. His whole demeanour possessed the calm and resolve peculiar to men who have been accustomed from childhood to wrestle with danger.
The novel, judged with the eyes of a Millenial, is showing its age : the language is often excessively lurid; a good editor could probably cut at least a third of the page count without losing anything essential; the plot twists can be spotted from a mile away; some characters are lacking depth and subtlety in their assignation on the good or evil side of the spectrum. Yet, the subject itself is not only epic, but timeless, as proven in the numerous modern adaptations and re-tellings (like "The Stars My Destination"). Edmont Dantes adversaries are more than simple evil people, they are representations of the corruption of the most basic pillars of society : Fernand (the army), Danglars (the economy), Villefort (the justice system), Mercedes (marriage). Politics, the aftermath of several decades of revolutionary wars and poverty are some of the other hot button issues of the 1840's thrown into the mix, and are still hot button issues today.
On the other side of the balance, Dumas is apparently putting religion - faith in the biblical God of vengeance, submission to the rule of Providence. The reader must be patient, because only in the final chapters will we see (view spoiler)[ Edmont Dantes question his righteous conviction that God is on his side. Initially, Monte Cristo is revealed as another incarnation of Faust, selling his soul to the Devil for a chance at playing the role of the Hand of Fate:
Listen, I have always heard speak of Providence, yet I have never seen her or anything that resembles her, which makes me think that she does not exist. I want to be Providence, because the thing that I know which is finest, greatest and most sublime in the world is to reward and to punish.
... and only later asking the hard questions about the right and wrong of his path, especially when trying to accuse the children of the sins of their fathers. Having reached the summit of his vengeance by the slow and tortuous route that he had followed, he had looked over the far side of the mountain and into the abyss of doubt. (hide spoiler)]
In many instances of the novel, the characters appeal to God in prayer or in admonition over their misfortunes, but for me the defining moments come when the men and women are shown to be sole responsible for their own deeds, like Caderousse being offered more than once a chance at redemption, and failing each time to choose the right path. Dumas is expressing I think the tumult of the revolutionary times he was living in : The French Revolution and later Bonaparte have challenged and often destroyed all the old rules of the centralised, divine right government, replacing them in theory with the rule of reason and in practice with a predatory and selfish anarchy. Like the count of Monte Cristo, Dumas is searching for new institutions and new ideas to lead the way of humanity into the future. Part of his argument is to return to the Law of Moses, but he cannot ignore the humanist principles that put Man in charge of his own destiny. Here are a couple of quotes to illustrate this debate:
I leave each of them on his own pedestal: Robespierre in the Place Louis XV, on his scaffold, and Napoleon in the Place Vendome, on his column. The difference is that equality with the first was a levelling down and with the second a raising up: one of them lowered kings to the level of the guillotine, the other lifted the people to the level of the throne. (Villefort)
-- -- --
Should a jurist not be, not the best applier of the law or the cleverest interpreter of legal quibbles, but a steel probe for the testing of hearts and a touchstone against which to assay the gold that every soul contains in greater or lesser amounts? (Monte Cristo)
-- -- --
Take care, Madame. That is not how God should be worshipped. He wants us to understand and debate His Power: that is why He gave us free will.
For all the soul searching and the social commentary, Dumas never forgets that he is a popular writer who needs to keep his audience captivated and begging for one more installment (the novel was first published in serial form in a newspaper). He is paying his dues to the Romantic school, even as he opens the path to modernism. Young Albert describes the count to his mother in these terms : I am inclined to consider him as some kind of Byronic figure, branded by Fate's dread seal: some Manfred, some Lara, some Werner ... . Other signs of Romanticism is the fascination with Oriental cultures, no doubt a result of the wildly popular translations of the Arabian Nights :
Ah, the Orientals, you understand, are the only people who know how to live!
.. and an interest in the occult, in perception altering drugs and in pseudosciences :
... a face which to a trained physiognomist betrayed an almost repulsive character.
The novel offers new avenues of investigation and critical commentary in almost every chapter, and I would love to spent more days trying to put all my ideas in order, but I am also beckoned by the other books I have started reading, so I will try to go on fast track from here on:
- Like Dickens, Dumas has issues with his portrayal of women. They are either evil to the bone or angelic figures so bland and spineless it makes you want to gag on the sweetness. Valentine is a perfect illustration of the ideal woman of 1840: innocent, ethereal, prone to fainting fits, submissive and only interesting in keeping house for her man. She is the spitting image of Esther from "Bleak House" . Mercedes at first glance appears as a wilder, more robust character, but will be later relegated to the simplistic role of grieving mother and repentant sinner. I would not put too much blame on the author though, since these were the atitudes prevalent at the times.
- an early sign of the changing times and changing morality : When you think, Caderousse said, letting his hand fall on to the paper, that what you have here can kill a man more surely than if you were to hide in the woods to murder him! I have always been more afraid of a pen, a bottle of ink and a sheet of paper than of a sword and a pistol.
- a glimpse at the secret of Monte Cristo's power and success : There are twenty-four hours in a day, sixty minutes in an hour and sixty seconds in a minute. A lot can be done in eighty-six thousand four hundred seconds.
- on regrets and past mistakes : So it is true that every one of our actions leaves some trace on our past, either dark or bright. So it is true that every step we take is more like a reptile's progress across the sand, leaving a track behind it. And often, alas, the track is the mark of our tears! (Villefort)
- on dignity and integrity : I know that the world is a drawing-room from which one must retire politely and honourably, that is to say, with a bow, after paying one's gaming debts. (Monte Cristo)
- an early example of product placement and marketing : The courtyard of the Bell and Bottle, with the three tiers of galleries which make it seem like a theatre, with the jasmine and clematis which lightly entwine its pillars like a natural decoration, is one of the most lovely inn yards anywhere in the world.
- an uplifting conclusion : Embrace Life, even in the deepest pit of despair : Wait , and Hope!
my conclusion: this is a milestone in the road that leads to the modern novel, and Dumas is here the equal of his contemporaries: in social engagement he announces the best period of Dickens and Hugo , while in spiritual fervor and volcanic emotions he announces the rise of Dostoyevsky. "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a much stronger novel than "The Three Musketeers".

5 out of 5

Carol–Feb 26, 2013

5+ Stars. I do not know how to express the excellence of this amazing story! I do know I will never forget it, and that reading it as a buddy-read made it all the more enjoyable.(great powwow book)DO NOT miss this remarkable novel. Highly recommend! (and bring on more Alexandre Dumas!) Update: March 18, 2016 GOD WILL GIVE ME JUSTICE (carved into the wall in the 'memorable' prison scene)Really enjoyed the 2002 version of the film with Jim Caviezel playing Edmond Dantes, and although the novel is 5+ Stars. I do not know how to express the excellence of this amazing story! I do know I will never forget it, and that reading it as a buddy-read made it all the more enjoyable.(great powwow book)DO NOT miss this remarkable novel. Highly recommend! (and bring on more Alexandre Dumas!) Update: March 18, 2016 GOD WILL GIVE ME JUSTICE (carved into the wall in the 'memorable' prison scene)Really enjoyed the 2002 version of the film with Jim Caviezel playing Edmond Dantes, and although the novel is much better and will remain one of my all-time favorites, I actually preferred the ending depicted in the movie. Great flick IMHO. (showing now on Starz for those interested)

5 out of 5

Richard Derus–Jun 24, 2010

Rating: 3.5* of five
The Book Report: .Edmond Dantès is truly on top of the world...he's handsome, young, successful, and about to marry a woman he loves. His boss promoted him, his lady-love's family beams approvingly at their wedding feast, and...
...the police arrive and arrest him for treason (this takes place in the Napoleonic War era, so this was a hot-button topic), he's sent to the Chateau d'If, tortured, held despite protestations if innocence, and finally escapes with the terminal assist Rating: 3.5* of five
The Book Report: .Edmond Dantès is truly on top of the world...he's handsome, young, successful, and about to marry a woman he loves. His boss promoted him, his lady-love's family beams approvingly at their wedding feast, and...
...the police arrive and arrest him for treason (this takes place in the Napoleonic War era, so this was a hot-button topic), he's sent to the Chateau d'If, tortured, held despite protestations if innocence, and finally escapes with the terminal assistance of the Abbé Faria, whose death offers Edmond the means of escape and the means to achieve revenge on the horrible people who, out of jealousy, deprived him of his youth.
Revenge is, indeed, a dish best served cold.
My Review: All three and a half stars are for the revenge part. I squirmed and writhed and generally caused my undies to bunch all during the incarceration part. Oh my gracious me. Yikes. Ow.
This is one of the most appalling stories ever told, to me, because it's TRUE!! Ye gods and little fishes! Horrifying! A man actually suffered through this agony! Although he didn't escape, he was released, and the treasure was in Milan, not on the mythical island of Monte Cristo. (I've now read that so many times that I'm hungry. I do love a monte cristo sammy.) When I learned this, I was so overwhelmed with fury at the long-dead perpetrators of this heinous crime, I was almost unable to finish the book.
All in all, I can't imagine wanting to read this ever again, but the journey was worth the pain.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

4 out of 5

Lizzy–Jul 17, 2016

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes." Sometimes I just feel like going back to a great classic, who doesn't love them? The Count of Monte Cristo is everything that I wished for when I decided to revisit it: it's a tragedy, a story of lost love, a psychological thriller, but it's above all a revenge novel. Alexandre Dumas' s masterpiece is not to be missed!
Some o “Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes." Sometimes I just feel like going back to a great classic, who doesn't love them? The Count of Monte Cristo is everything that I wished for when I decided to revisit it: it's a tragedy, a story of lost love, a psychological thriller, but it's above all a revenge novel. Alexandre Dumas' s masterpiece is not to be missed!
Some other great quotes from Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo:
"It is necessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live."
"We are always in a hurry to be happy...; for when we have suffered a long time, we have great difficulty in believing in good fortune.
"Learning does not make one learned: there are those who have knowledge those who have understanding. The first requires memory and the second philosophy."
"All human wisdom is contained in the two words - Wait and Hope."